Phillies unlikely to acquire Red Sox OF Andrew Benintendi

When news broke on Monday that the Philadelphia Phillies made a trade with the Boston Red Sox, there was an assumption that the swap might involve outfielder Andrew Benintendi. Last week, a trade rumor suggested the two sides were discussing a trade involving the 2018 World Series champion and 2016 first overall draft pick Mickey Moniak.

The lone player involved in the trade ending up being utility infielder C.J. Chatham for a player to be named later or cash considerations.

Don’t expect a third trade between the Phillies and Red Sox to involve Andrew Benintendi.

The trade marked the second between the Phillies and Red Sox in recent months, with the first being the infamous Brandon Workman and Heath Hembree acquisitions in late August. According to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, it is “highly unlikely” that a third trade will be the charm in reuniting Benintendi with Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski in Philadelphia.

Rosenthal writes that while Dombrowski liked Benintendi with the Red Sox, chances of them teaming up again is unlikely — and not just because the team needs to address its catching, shortstop, and pitching staff holes.

“With Bryce Harper and Andrew McCutchen in the corner spots, the only place the Phillies could play him would be in center, a position switch that would hardly appear to make sense,” Rosenthal writes. “Benintendi, 26, is still young enough to revive his career, but his $6.6 million salary for 2021 should temper any expectations of a strong return in a trade.”

The Phillies might give Odubel Herrera a look this spring training.

NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Jim Salisbury wrote Monday evening that the Phils are mulling to give Odubel Herrera a second chance after he violated Major League Baseball’s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy in the spring of 2019. The Venezuela native is entering the final year of his five-year, $30-plus million contract.

Between Herrera, Adam Haseley, and Roman Quinn, the Phillies have several internal centerfielder candidates to consider this spring training. It does not appear Benintendi will be among the mix in red pinstripes.